Today, the desire to get whiter teeth and a brighter smile has increased drastically. These hungers have been fueled by several DIY whitening procedures as well as a quick Google search. If you take a pause and search for teeth whitening procedures on Google, you would realize that there are a thousand and one promising methods to give you that Hollywood smile. While some of these ideas may really be enticing and look real, there are certain tricks to getting a perfect tooth whitening procedure.
With over a million suggestions, many questions have been asked by our patients if it is safe to carry out a tooth whitening procedure themselves. We decided to write this article to enlighten you on the pros and cons involved if you choose to.
Self – Methods of Tooth Whitening
Oil Pulling
One of the oldest methods of tooth whitening, the oil pulling method is said to be mildly effective. However, as of this day, this article was written, there is no precise documentation that proves this method as an adequate procedure for tooth whitening.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is probably one of the worst ideas we have seen in terms of teeth whitening as you are essentially brushing your teeth with strong citric acid. Any acid is harmful to your teeth, but a strong acid such as lemon juice applied directly to your teeth will strip your teeth of its protective layers and enamel. Tooth enamel is highly vulnerable to acids and enamel loss is permanent. We strongly urge you against this method as it can cause permanent damage to your teeth.
Activated Charcoal
One of the most known methods of tooth whitening, and though there are a lot of testimonies here and there insinuating that this method had seen to the effectiveness of tooth whitening. However, research has proven that charcoal would absorb stains on the tooth but wouldn’t whiten them. Of a truth, charcoals are abrasive in nature, they might scrape away the enamel as it removes stains from your teeth leaving them in a dangerous position.
See Also: Tooth Cleaning
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Almost every home has this product, they are often used as basic necessities for both clinical purposes as well as cleaning purposes. Research has proven that this DIY method of tooth whitening originated from the fact that hydrogen peroxide is used in professional whitening methods and baking soda is a common ingredient in many ADA approved toothpaste. People logically conclude that combining the two would be a safe option in terms of removing stains/whitening teeth. While both are used in ADA products and procedures, that does not mean they are safe chemicals to apply directly to your teeth unsupervised.
Let’s give you a quick reminder; the tooth and the gum are quite delicate and finding a balance between keeping this two safe from all the chemicals involved would need professional advice. Only dental professionals have the knowledge, experience, training, and materials to properly whiten your teeth with safe, long-lasting results.
Your oral hygiene will appreciate you for trusting dental professionals at Smile360 dental clinic. Visit us with all the questions you have at heart. We are sure to give you all the perfect explanations there is. Together, we will make a safe plan on how to achieve your best smile. In the meantime, keep up with good practices such as brushing and flossing daily and avoid foods, drinks, and other products that might stain or harm your teeth.
